Storage card adapter with compression latch

Abstract

Technology is provided for a storage card adapter. The storage card adapter is used for housing storage cards (e.g., M.2 storage cards), and the storage card adapter can then be inserted into a drive bay. The storage card adapter includes a compression latch system that, when engaged, brings together the cover and carrier frame of the storage card adapter such that at least 100 lbs of compressive force is applied to thermal pads disposed on either side of storage cards housed within the storage card adapter. The compression latch system includes a cam into which a shaft of a compression latch is inserted. When a lever attached to one end of the shaft is pivoted about the shaft, a ramp on the opposite end of the shaft engages with an engagement ramp within the cam to thereby pull together the cover and carrier frame and provide the desired compressive force to the thermal pads. The storage card adapter also includes a spring latch that locks the lever of the compression latch into place when the compression latch is fully engaged with the cam.

We claim: 
     
       1. A storage card adapter usable with storage cards for insertion into a drive bay, the storage card adapter comprising:
 a carrier frame having an envelope compatible with the drive bay and configured to receive a printed circuit board, the carrier frame comprising:
 a first frame end side and a second frame end side opposite the first frame end side; and 
 a cam located proximate the second frame end side, the cam including a recess and a mating ramp within the recess; 
 
 a cover pivotably attached with the carrier frame, the cover comprising:
 a first cover end side and a second cover end side, wherein the first cover end side is pivotably attached with the first frame end side of the carrier frame; 
 an aperture located proximate the second cover end side; and 
 a compression latch comprising:
 an elongated lever; and 
 a shaft extending perpendicularly from one end of the elongated lever and having an engagement ramp at a distal end; 
 wherein the shaft extends through the aperture and the engagement ramp mates with the mating ramp when the elongated lever is pivoted about the shaft to thereby compress together the cover and the carrier frame. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated lever is aligned in parallel with the second cover end side of the cover when the shaft is inserted into the recess in an unlatched position and is pivoted approximately 180° in order to engage the engagement ramp with the mating ramp and move to a latched position. 
     
     
       3. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises a spring latch configured to lock the elongated lever in place when the elongated lever is moved to a latched position. 
     
     
       4. The storage card adapter of  claim 3 , wherein the spring latch is positioned on an exterior surface of the cover and includes a recess configured to receive the elongated lever and a release tab configured to release the elongated lever from the recess when depressed. 
     
     
       5. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein all components of the storage card adapter are dimensioned such that at least 100 lbs of compressive force is applied to a storage card sandwiched between two thermal pads housed within the storage card adapter when the compression latch is moved to a latched position. 
     
     
       6. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to pivot approximately 180° relative to the first frame end side of the carrier frame. 
     
     
       7. The storage card adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the cover includes a stop pedestal to prevent the cover from pivoting more than approximately 180° relative to the first frame end side of the carrier frame. 
     
     
       8. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the carrier frame and the cover include a heat sink configured to thermally communicate with a storage card when sandwiched between the carrier frame and the cover. 
     
     
       9. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier frame, the cover and the compression latch are each made from die cast aluminum. 
     
     
       10. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises:
 a first lateral cover side and a second lateral cover side opposite the first lateral cover side; and 
 a plurality of heat fins on an interior side of the cover proximate both the first lateral side and the second lateral side. 
 
     
     
       11. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier frame comprises:
 a first lateral frame side and a second lateral frame side opposite the first lateral frame side; and 
 a flanged storage card adapter guide at both the first lateral frame side and the second lateral frame side. 
 
     
     
       12. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is centered along the length of the second cover end side and the cam is centered along the length of the second frame end side. 
     
     
       13. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the carrier frame includes two cams, one located proximate each corner of the second frame end side; and 
 the cover includes two apertures, one located proximate each corner of the second cover end side, and two compression latches, one inserted in each aperture. 
 
     
     
       14. The storage card adapter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cover includes a plurality of clamping posts extending from an interior surface of the cover; 
 and the carrier frame includes a plurality of guide posts extending from the interior surface of the carrier frame, the number of guide posts corresponding to the number of clamping posts; 
 wherein each guide post is configured to receive a corresponding clamping post when the cover 
 is pivoted to enclose the interior of the storage card adapter; and 
 wherein the guide posts and clamping posts are positioned such that a terminal end of a storage 
 card housed within the storage card adapter is clamped between the guide post and the clamping post. 
 
     
     
       15. The storage card adapter of  claim 14 , wherein the height of the guide posts and the clamping posts is configured to prevent over-compression of the storage card sandwiched between thermal pads housed within the storage card adapter when the compression latch is moved to a latched position. 
     
     
       16. A storage card adapter usable with storage cards for insertion into a drive bay, the storage card adapter comprising:
 a carrier frame having an envelope compatible with the drive bay and configured to receive a printed circuit board, the carrier frame comprising:
 a first frame end side and a second frame end side opposite the first frame end side; and 
 a hook proximate the second frame end side; 
 
 a cover pivotably attached with the carrier frame, the cover comprising:
 a first cover end side and a second cover end side, wherein the first cover end side is pivotably attached with the first cover end side of the carrier frame; and 
 a latch proximate the second cover end side, the latch configured to engage with the hook and thereby compress the cover against the carrier frame, wherein the hook and latch are dimensioned such that at least 100 lbs of compressive force is applied to an M.2 card sandwiched between two thermal pads housed within the storage card adapter when the latch is engaged with the hook. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The storage card adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the carrier frame and the cover are each made from die cast aluminum. 
     
     
       18. The storage card adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the cover is configured to pivot 180° about the first frame end side of the carrier frame. 
     
     
       19. The storage card adapter of  claim 18 , wherein the cover includes a stop pedestal to prevent the cover from pivoting more than 180° about the first frame end side of the carrier frame. 
     
     
       20. The storage card adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the latch includes a release tab configured to release the latch from the hook when depressed.